Monday, June 14, 2010

An interesting... vuvuzela

Dear Europeans, Cristiano Ronaldo and whingy white South Africans,

For the last few days, I hear you have been complaining about the noise of the vuvuzelas at games. As we've been blowing them consistently since Thursday night we haven't been able to hear you whining until now.

Well, quite frankly, I don't give two fucks. This is a South African World Cup. South Africans blow vuvuzelas when they watch football. Therefore, ipso facto vuvuzelas will be blown-o during World Cup matches. Surprisingly, people who regularly attend SA football matches (for example fans and players who have been attending matches for so many years that one without a vuvuzela would be ridiculous) have all their hearing faculties and have managed to play and communicate in this atmosphere.

Do you not think it is quite odd for visitors and non-SA-football fans to go into someone else's environment and tell them what to do?

Because you are going to your first or second game ever in SA, you think you have some kind of right to dictate the atmosphere, as if it doesn't apply to people who have been watching football here for 10+ years? How would you like it if they slipped into your w(h)ine club and told you how to run it?

When I watched football in London, some chap kept calling the referee a cunt... in front of what looked to be a 5/6 year old boy. So trust me, it's not as if football culture is better in other parts of the world. There's loads of shit not to like, and if you want to obsessively hate cultural aspects of our national game, then I suggest you stay at home and watch it on the SABC with the volume off.

We will continue blowing our vuvuzelas for these reasons:

1) The noise of 60 000 of them being blown at once is fucking fantastic.

2) It makes it harder for European teams. This is what we call HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE.

3) It is as much part of Mzansi as the Nelson Mandela is.

4) It annoys British people and Aussies. Two birds, one stone.

They're here to stay. Even if you whingy gits kick them out the stadiums, we will blow them on the outside. While you're having dinner. While you're trying to sleep. In fact, as soon as we can see you getting annoyed we'll blow them again.

The noisy vuvuzela horns that South African fans brought to this summer's World Cup games are widely assailed by coaches, players, fans, TV broadcasters and viewers. Yet FIFA refused to ban them while calling them a South African soccer tradition - however the OK now confirmed to overthink the situation.

Let us let the vuvuzela go and get that singing spirit back. Pro passion, emotions, singings, chants and world cup feeling! Against Vuvuzela! Sign the petition now!All signigns will be given to the FIFA by June, 26...

you view is exactly that Simon,one eyed...you think the world cup is about SA...sorry but its not its about the world coming together...these vuvuzela's are taking that away from the fans...the world cup is losing its identity and is being ruined because fans from around the world can't support their country the way they know how.

Why must South African's stop supporting the world cup the way we know how so that the rest of the world can do it their way? Skrew them (you), we won the bid and therefore we won the right to celebrate the world cup as we like. And we like it with vuvuzela's!

There seems to be a pretty strong consensus building that all the world hates your horns! Amazing how little respect South Africans have even for other countries national anthems. Go ahead and blow them, SA will never see another major international event again... ;-)

You do realize that no sporting event will ever be played in South Africa again, right?

And that to be gracious hosts, you do have to, just perhaps, listen to the voices of your guests?

Listen, I could care less if you play them during your South African games. But the rest of the countries have their own culture and they want to show it. Guess what? They can't. You're smothering them with the sound of a beehive.

South Africa is getting ridiculous revenue from this World Cup thanks to the overseas visitors.

It's the World's Game, don't suffocate the England v USA game with those horns, I would much rather hear "The Great Escape."

Hosts should be honored to have guests. Not arrogant and believe they deserve more respect for annoying them.

Well as a British South African who has watched football in the UK and here i quite honestly agree! stop bitching this is as much a part of our culture as having a Braai. ( BBQ )

They are loud they are brazen they are pertinent and they sum up South Africa! We love them we don't tell you brits to stop eating fish and chips, the french from making cheese and forgetting to brush their teeth, Or the yanks from hanging flags by their door, the Japs to stop whaling or the Ausies from throwing shrimp on there BARBIES.

This is part of our culture and if they get banned trust me there will be armies of people standing outside the stadiums with them being just as loud.

"I think you'll find that it's the countries that lost or drew that hate our "horns" which are actually called vuvuzelas."

Yeah, Germany just won their match 4-0, yet German fans are complain just as loud as all the others. In fact, so are South Americans, Asians, Middle Easterners, and even other Africans!

So you are blowing them to support your country? That is odd, because I hear them drowning out matches in which South Africa isn't even involved.

What a stupid way to support your team anyways... are you not creative enough to come up with something that isn't so mind numbingly annoying? I actually enjoy listening to the chants other nations come up with too...

Hm, I am not sure that cheese, flags and fish and chips are a health risk.....

The sound of the first game reached the decibel level of a jet engine, certainly enough to cause permanent ear damage.

The also are able to spread viruses at a much faster rate due to spittle.

And we're not forcing you to eat cheese or hang flags (Both, might I add, hilariously incorrect statements) but you are hosting a world event. And you are embarrassing yourselves by being so inconsiderate to your guests.

Ha ha, you guys make it sound like the South Africans are blaring away on their vuvuzelas while the foreigners are quietly sitting in their corner moping into their Budweisers. I can promise you that this is not the case! Visitors to SA have embraced the vuvuzela and have been getting in on the action. You just have to take a look at the crowds in the stadium to realize that they are not all African.

" And that to be gracious hosts, you do have to, just perhaps, listen to the voices of your guests? "

Really I wonder if the Afghanistan people would agree with your enthusiasm while the US and the UK rage a war through their homeland?

Let alone I watched a group of German supporters joining in on the fun. Really the tourists are here as guests and are being afforded the opportunity to partake in one of the most unique cultures in the world? You say give you your heritage why not join in and combine your views?

again to quote "There seems to be a pretty strong consensus building that all the world hates your horns! Amazing how little respect South Africans have even for other countries national anthems. Go ahead and blow them, SA will never see another major international event again... ;-)"

How arrogant? really? this is the first major football / soccer event that has been hosted but we have hosted plenty of events in the past that have been praised and held in high acclaim. climb out from under a rock some time there is a global village out there! really africa is huge and this is your chance to embrace a bit of culture! amateur!

"You do realize that no sporting event will ever be played in South Africa again, right?"

I bet your team lost, not our fault you didnt prepare for this. Your team should have added vuvuzela training to its list of training events.

" South Africa is getting ridiculous revenue from this World Cup thanks to the overseas visitors."

ACTUALLY, because you obviously are miss informed the proposed FIFA specs for tourists was about 55% higher than the number that have arrived so many companies that got dominated by the Fifa & MATCH regulations have had their block bookings returned under a month prior to kick off. The massive revenue is not going to be forthcoming rather you should look at it like this with a gracious view that we are hosting you with some great stadiums amazing security but the finincial gain from this cup will honestly not even cover hosting the tourists. Infact because of this cup I am expecting to see a few hospitality establishments go under. Once again arrogance.

THIS IS OUR CULTURE AND iF WE OUT WEIGH THE INTERNATIONALS AT GAMES SHAME .... More of you should have come along!

Should've had an Opening of the games done by a combined French & South American group singing ( whispering), the British anthem, wearing kilts made in Korea in South Africa because we are not allowed to put our culture in the hosting of the event. Now get over it and watch the action. Use your eyes not your ears and if you don't know the players- watch the flowers grow!!

" Hm, I am not sure that cheese, flags and fish and chips are a health risk.....

The sound of the first game reached the decibel level of a jet engine, certainly enough to cause permanent ear damage.

The also are able to spread viruses at a much faster rate due to spittle.

And we're not forcing you to eat cheese or hang flags (Both, might I add, hilariously incorrect statements) but you are hosting a world event. And you are embarrassing yourselves by being so inconsiderate to your guests. "

Health Risk... must be British.... I wonder how you got here by plane? Hmmm I wonder if they took health and safety into consideration when the race for flight was going on? health and safety has purely slowed the development and evolution of people. Dont throw health and safety into it, ear plugs are available all over get some. My ipod could drown out the sound i wonder if it should be banned!

Second, you would compare a football game to a war torn nation? Hm...I'm not even sure I would honor that with a response seeing as how ridiculous it is.

Third, don't "afford" me with your culture during my country's game. Do it during yours, but I want to see my countrymen speak for my country.

Fourth, as a friend told me, the only thing to drown out the noise of the vuvuzelas was to blow on your own. I cannot report how truthful it is, but I will not doubt his word.

It may be the first major football game, but this was THE football game. And it's not held in high acclaim. It is a little like the Olympics. You can win all the world championships but if you don't measure up at the Olympics, it really did not account for much, did it?

By the way, my team won. Spectacularly might I add. 4-0 over the Aussies.

All we are asking is to put the things down once in awhile. The constant drone of hornets for 90 minutes straight is a bit much.Use them during your games, not during mine. You enjoy your culture. I enjoy mine.

I dont understand all the haters - its simple. This is an African WC and if people dont like it, theyre welcome to leave and watch the games in the comfort of their homes. If you visit another country, you respect their traditions and you dont arrogantly stroll in and demand that they make allowances to suit you.

I attended a game in Cape Town with 64100 attendees. I didnt even use my ear plugs - in fact, I was blowing my vuvuzela along with everyone else. What an atmosphere.

It makes us different, it makes us unique, it makes it OUR AFRICAN WORLD CUP.

I don't understand how most people in sa hated the vuvu a couple of weeks back and now they seem to love the damn things. I would not have had a problem with them if I could actually get ome sleep at night and not have to deal with them at work in my car on my way to work and pretty much every other second of the day. The vuvu doesn't have anything to do with support, to be honest I don't get how it's 'just as much mnsansi as Mandela'. The vuvu onlt made its way onto the scene in the past couple of weeks when people forgot their social education and started ignoring a little something called common decency. If you want to act like a barbarian go stay where barbarians stay and stop making the rest of our lives dificult. We too support the soccer but we don't have to inconvenience everyone 24/7 to do it.

This country has seen its pain and suffering, a point that I haven't made because I felt it may be destructive is very simply we have a massively diverse culture and this vuvu culture has brought many levels / classes of society together , this feat is rather difficult int his country.

By banning them or forcing people to stick to our games only, would cause massive unrest. Since the availability of tickets has been a major point of contention some individuals ( actually many ) may only get a chance to see one game and they would like that opportunity to support football/soccer the way they know how!

Some of the tickets for some of these games have probably gone to the cost that people have spent more than 2 months wages on them just to see and be apart of the atmosphere.

As I mentioned I saw a group of german supporters all going for it with Vuvu's sporting German colors.The only way to enjoy a vuvu is to join in! Your friend is quite right. My girlfriend actually made an analogy yesterday to the effect of Vuvuzelas are like sex, its all fun and games when you are involved but if youve gotta listen to others its just awkward.

I suggest you grab one and give it a good old German whirl.

You will be a fan!

The war torn nation line was really a joke but then my sense of humor is rather dark!

The Olympics count for very little I might add, being slightly in sports representation the long term viewership of athlete's counts alot more to getting that athlete into a sustainable career as a professional.

All that i am glad about is simple that there is a lot of coverage over vuvuzelas and really very little on crime affecting tourists.

Okay, so I couldn't really give a shit either way as I can't stand football so it's not my problem. However there's one point I'd like to challenge you on.

You stated that a vuvuzela was as South African as Mandela.

Dude, it wasn't until 2001 that they were mass produced at all, before that a handful of locals had them. This is hardly a historical icon. It's a commercial product created to allow sponsors to expose their brands at games.

Also, from my point of view we're a musical, colourful nation. I find it kinda embarrassing that this the best we have to offer the world is a single note noise maker.

I'm all for getting singing back, listen to the songs in a premier division game - there's unity here.

As I sad, I don't watch the games, but I do wish the message we were sending the world was better.

Oh, and for goodness sake, playing during the anthems shows no respect for our visitors. A little courtesy please.

Tradition? Give me a break. South Africa has only been importing these cheap trumpets from China the last ten years. And by the way, they have been around in Europe for more than 30 years, so it's not anything typical of Africa in any way.

The problem is not the vuvuzela itself. The problem is how South African fans use it. They don't blow it to cheer when they score. They blow it 90 minutes straight, killing all atmosphere by covering it with annoying mind-numbing noise.

Thank you for ruining the World Cup for your guests. South Africa will be remembered as the worst World Cup host ever. And now call me racist if you want.

Some fucking piece of plastic represents the South African football culture. You blow that thing until your lips explode, cause thats the South African way. It doesn't matter that your right to blow that thing in my face wherever I go infringes on my right to healthy eardrums, a spit free neck and some silence when I try and eat at a restaurant at a mall. This one toned piece of plastic is now "culture", together with burning shit when ure unhappy and "this is Africa, fuck you" attitude....

And by the Sway occer has never really been a tradition in South Africa, maybe in the townships and guys wathching european soccer on tv sundays but other that lets be honest about this. Most 'soccer supporting south africans' are seriously misguided. Besides the fact that being the host country has drained us financially instead of boosting our economy these silly people actually want to be seen as part of this. If people think all is well I would suggest about an hour or two of reflection. After the cup has left for fairer grounds everything will return to normal, yes Julius malema will probably try to take credit for the world cup initiative, the eonomy will plummit and small business will close due to the toll gates and post world cup depression. Chances are anarchy will break out or start be a problem before the end of 2011 because of degraded living standards, limited job opportunities and financial resources combined with a lack of social education but over here we like to call it 'culture'. Yes those of us who work our asses off, will still carry the country and our businesses will eventually belong to the state even if you started it yourself and built it up with your own two hands, affirmative action will then seem like a blessing because you only had to hand over an x pecentage of your business to someone that you don't even know not the entire thing. All those falling into the tax bracket, you might work for a boss but remember in the end you will have to live of next to nothing so go on guys blow on your vuvu's it's not like anything else is real. Might as well fake that too...

I would like to rephrase my point, which I seem to have poorly phrased. :) My fault.

My friend did not mean it as a good thing, he meant that to escape the torture you had to join in. He said the sound was much less deafening if you blew on the thing. He had tickets to all of the games, left the first one and only saw the France one because...well...he's French.

To me, it's more about hearing the voices of all of the nations. And I can't do that. I would much rather hear 'God Save the Queen' and the sambas of Brazil. It's because those people got to speak for their nations. Instead, I hear one uniform low B flat key drowning out the support for teams. Players and coaches can't hear, I can't hear the commentators.

I just believe that the German culture should be on play when my German team comes out, just as South African culture should be on play when they come onto the pitch.

Please don't drown out my support if your team is not playing. If they are, well that's the point.

A nation together is alot better than a nation divided.If a piece of Chinese made plastic brings whites / coloreds / blacks / Zulu's / Afrikaners all together then so be it.

We havent seen this much unity in years with all the plaguing of the Malema's and other bullshit.

& @Dadooran

Well there have been some horrific events at previous WC's so worst one ever is harsh. I think you are overstepping the mark a bit on that statement. I am loving the cup this year and to me that is all that counts! You are entitled to your oppinion but really think back on the multitudes of shit associated with the cup, int he past. If a piece of plastic being blown to make some noise is the worst thing about this cup then i am grateful. It could be much much worse.

As a British football fan I actually really like them, and was well pleased that they droned out the god awful English 'band' who play the same sodding 'tune' like a cat being garroted (sp?) throughout the entire match and have as much talent as Franz Beckenbauer has event hosting skills. Keep it up!

Remember the French blowing their trumpet at the Rugby world Cup, it's now heard in the IPL T20 cricket tournament. It spread from the Rugby World Cup in France to South Africa's IPL competition and still continues in India this year. Just some food for thought.

I think they are brilliant. I wasn't a fan at first - but I love them now. I am in Amsterdam and they are selling them in the post office here. Today is Holland's first match of the world cup and I have heard them being blown all morning. I think they might be catching on.

Lets keep blowing them and I am sure once people try them they will love them!

First of all, two wrongs don't make a right - Just because you've seen some drunks Germans having a blast on the horn doesn't mean everyone loves them.

Most importantly this is an excellent example of why everyone dislikes South Africans. Feel free to continue your jingoistic blaring but don't expect the rest of the world to come along as well in future. I predict the vuvus will be banned for some band-aid reason but we'll all know that it's because anyone not blowing one considers them hellish. (Less than a generation old, I might add).

For once I am on the side of the multi-national medias, who will worry that this infernal racket will be causing viewer to turn off, or turn down the sound and hence miss the vital messages of their advertisters. Who, by the way, pay for most of this.

Any 'racist' bullshit is static. Africa is drums and singing, not plastic horrible blaring.

As a German saying …I can’t understand the narrow-mindedness of esp. Europeans about SA fan culture. The times where Europe thought having the right to tell the whole world how to life, dictate their norms to foreign peoples and dominate over all others, are gone. We live in 2010, not in 19th century.I like the vuvu-sound, as also my children do while blowing them in front of TV. The vuvuzela is a fantastic way to unite fans, no matter if rich or poor, black or white, inside or outside stadium, at home or live in place, in SA or thousands of miles away. Everyone can easily buy a vuvuzela and being part of the World Cup immediately.So keep on blowing SA!

Such a pity that everyone is hating on the Vuvuzelas. I love football...with or without the sound of deafening (btw just buy some earplugs if you're at a game...sillies)Vuvuzelas. And they mostly just start becoming background noise when I watch it on TV.

Lots of tourists are loving them...and it's really mostly people who don't get to see the games live that are hating on them. I reckon it's because you only truly understand the awesomeness of the Vuvuzela if you're in the midst of the most awesome game of football (soccer...whatever...different argument for a different day) you've ever seen with a crowd of people going crazy on their Vuvuzelas.

I don't really care where they were made or how long they've been in SA...all i know is that when you're the one blowing the Vuvuzela with other fanatics...it's truly awesome. And the goosebumps I got watching my team and their fans' reactions with and without the Vuvuzelas is what I'll remember!

Ja I think this post is an awful advert for SA. Just because you watch AYOBA ads and are totally susceptible to marketing doesn't mean the rest of us are mindless herds of sheep blowing their own trumpets. Once again, ashamed to be associated with empty head insensitives.

LOL Anonymous, your a joke, mainly because your nagging about OUR VUVUZELA'S. We are the host nation so we are doing things the way we know how. We dont nag when the world cup is else where and fans are banging on drums, have a fully band supporting their team and burning flares etc, yet you want to complain about our vuvuzela's. Wake up, you wouldnt want us coming over to your country and dictating to you what to do and what not to do.

Plus i dont know if you have noticed but most of the visitors are into the vuvuzela and have their own to take home with them.

So please stop acting like a 8month old who threw their dummy out the cot.

1) The noise of 60 000 of them being blown at once is fucking fantastic.

A value judgement - you like them, but many don't. You can't arbitrate this difference of opinion by simply claiming the victory.

2) It makes it harder for European teams. This is what we call HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE.

Think about this one - do non-European teams not need to communicate? What does that say about our tactics? Is it okay to praise the vuvuzela while (indirectly) saying that African teams lack the tactical sophistication premised on being able to communicate?

3) It is as much part of Mzansi as the Nelson Mandela is.

Bollocks. It's modern phenomenon, as other commentators have pointed out.

4) It annoys British people and Aussies. Two birds, one stone.

I get that this is just a joke. But in the context of the race card you play at the start of your post "whingy white South Africans", it's a dangerous one.

I was at the opening game and I can assure all of you that I didn't hear a single vuvuzela during the national anthems.Vuvuzelas are here to stay. if you can't beat them, join them.I did and I love it.

The fact remains that it is what it is, it may be different and disconcerting etc. to people who are not accustomed to it but you are not going to change 10 years of tradition. So build a bridge and get the %@#*^ over it.

If foreigners choose not to return to South Africa then so be it. Go ahead an cut off your nose to spite your face, South Africa is not without fault but it is a beautiful country with a lot to offer.

I personally think that (in a country fraught with a past of racism and violence) it is AMAZING to see people from all walks of life come together and celebrate as a nation and with their foreign counterparts.

So to all the South Africans and Vuvuzela blowers... thanks for keeping me entertained at 4am when I am watching the games from Australia.

In Brazil there's samba in the stadiums...i don't think anyone would like to at least think about prohibiting it. Vuvuzelas are good. Noisy, that's very true, but they're the spirit of this World Cup, and might stay.People complaining about it should stay home reading, and players complaining about it should be more open to the soul of football. They might be good, but their spirit is full of money, not passion.Brazil supports the vuvuzela (at least me)!

While I dont like Vuvuzelas being blown inside my home or outside my bedroom window, I think they are fantastic at games! There is a time and place for them, at a game or fanpark. I have a pair of earplugs for when it gets a bit much and they are widely available for anyone worrying about damage to their hearing.

I do however feel that fans should not blow vuvuzelas when national anthems are being sung. I find that very rude, but other than that I say bring on the noise!

For me the point about the vuvuzelas is not the off-tune sound they make, but mostly the way they are used.In Euro soccer matches, the chants and horn blowing react to the game on the field, but in the World Cup matches so far, people blew the vuvuz's brainlessly from beginning to end without any reference to the game.That makes is look/sound quite silly.It's like if they came to celebrate massive crowd horn blowing and not watch a soccer game.

dear south africans, it's a WORLD cup not a south african cup. As far i am concerned this has been the worst world cup EVER! i hope south africa never host any international event ever again. what a failure!

"dear south africans, it's a WORLD cup not a south african cup. As far i am concerned this has been the worst world cup EVER! i hope south africa never host any international event ever again. what a failure!"

Really.... What a failure.? are you serious or just mildly retarded?

I hope South Africa never host an international event ever again.

That is like saying I hope the UK fuckup the Olympics with their public transport systems and the nation gets banned from all sporting events ... I just find this all so funny, that the vuvuzela has become an object of such hate and bashing about south africa being a shit host country... Go fuck yourself seriously.

Or support rugby we have very few vuvuzelas there.... but in soccer / football they are part and parcel to the process in Africa.

This was a chance to show South African (and African in general) culture off to the world, while inviting many other nations into your coutnry to do the same.

Unfortunately it's all been drowned out by the monotone droning of cheap plastic air horns, which is marring the tournament for many and completely draining what should be a global event of international flavour and atmosphere.

SeppBlatter's Twitter page:To answer all your messages re the Vuvuzelas. I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound.. I dont see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on fan traditions in your country?

PS: You will never make everyone happy. If it wasn't the vuvuzela's people would be whining about something else. Some people's glasses are half full... And some people's are half empty. I'll let you distinguish for yourself who fits into which category :)

the most bigotted nations come to us and tell us that the Vuvuzela must be banned. How about we start by saying ban all armed forces in Iraq, stop prostituting the Oil fields of the East. com'on we are the hosts and we are still graceful enough to allow you to come and talk hogwash in our country whilst rubbishing our taditions and customs. Christiano Ronaldo must just admit he is scared of playing against Lucas Thwala and wants an excuse early in the game. we will give him Drogba and company first to deal with.

BUILD A BRIDGE AND GET OVER IT. VUVUZELA IS HERE TO STAY!!!!! Yes you are visitors in our country but we are not going to change our way of doing things just because you have "blessed" us with your presence. No one was forced to come and watch the World Cup; it was a personal choice and now deals with it.

Vuvuzela has been part of SA football culture and will stay. So you players cannot communicate on the field - how do our players communicate and hear one another? Learn from them and stop whining.

Fact for the misinformed: Vuvuzela's have been part of SA soccer from the late 1990's and because of the demand a company called Masincedisane sport was formed to manufacture these and distribute. These didn't just crop up during the Confed Cup, they have been part of the SA soccer culture for over a decade now. Most of these people have never been to a soccer game hence the lack of knowledge of the vuvuzela.

SA has hosted many a sporting event with great success. We hosted cricket, rugby, IPL, Golf with great success. Threats of not having any more sporting events are unfounded. As South Africans we bought tickets for other games and therefore we will go in droves to blow our vuvuzela's like mad.

If you don't like what you hear, you are more than welcome to pack your bags, check out of your hotel and board the next aircraft out of OR Tambo.

If you don't want the noise, go and attend a golf game and you will have peace and quiet. If not, stay at home with the volume switched off.

To anonymous who is predicting a state of anarchy in 2011; why don't you now apply for migration in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, or perhaps Canada and beat the queue? We don't need people of your negativity in this country. Yes, we have problems but if you don't have anything positive to add or contribute to the country - PLEASE LEAVE!!! Contrary to your perception there are many of us black people that work our asses off, with our own companies and frankly WE DON'T WANT YOUR HANDOFFS!!! We pay tax just like you and taxed the same percentage. Contrary to your belief, not all black people are corrupt (come to think of it - who are the main perpetrators of white collar crime? Is that why you are uncomfortable because now the pie is getting smaller? *thinking*). What you insinuate is like saying all white people are racist!!!!

I was at Soccer City on Friday, jetted off to Rustenburg on Saturday and back at Loftus on Sunday and there were plenty of foreigners blasting away on their vuvuzelas and were have fun doing it.

Vuvuzela is here to stay. If you don't like it, go back to wherever you crawled out from and watch the soccer in your comforts. This is SA and we will be blowing on our vuvuzela's for the whole tournament!!!

Dude... even Lance is bitching about them. To Lance I say: You yanks have your culture and we have ours. Our culture is braaivleis and blowing plastic horns. Yours is invading ill-defended countries populated with brown-skinned people.

So this clown thinks it's okay just to do what the hell one pleases regardless of the effect on others? Regardless that there a plenty of ordinary decent people who are slowly being driven mad by these things. Regardless of the animals that are having panic responses, according to vets interviewed over the weekend.

In other words he's championing the SA right to be completely selfish and if you don't like it, screw you. Of course he disguises it in a layer of self-righteousness - "we don't like being told what to do".

Which is nothing new - we all already know that South Africans don't like being told what to do. Like being told not to drink and drive - and look where that's landed Madiba's family.

There are many, blatantly obvious, reasons why so fewer foreign supporters than expected came to Mzansi for the SWC.

As some wit said, vuvuzelas are 'loudly South African'. Truth is they're rudely South African; and as infantile and annoying as Julius Malema.

The collective sound of South Africa blowing a 'raspberry' at the rest of the world, while taking a noisy, gigantic dump in its diapers.

We're supposed to tolerate other people's cultures, but it's an historical fact, and clearly evident, that that's never been our strong suit.

It's fine to use the vuvuzela when we (SA) are playing - and take the 'home-ground advantage' by doing so; but it is discourteous and tarnishing our international image even further when they drown out the foreign supporters' games too.

All this flag waving and bugle blowing is nothing more than a false front hiding our national disunity.

What gave you the idea that I'm not seriously considering immigration and in doing so supporting a little local problem called 'brain drain'. I'm glad you are so incredibly optimistic, good for you but in reality I used to be optimistic too, that is until everything went pear shaped in this country and once they kept going wrong things were still blamed on a white government. That has obviously changed and yet no one seems to take responsibility for their actions or the reaction it has on the economy. I pressume you are black, if you are so tired of 'hand outs' then why not do something about it? Most of the business owners had to start from scratch and built their businesses with little/no support available from the government as is nowadays. As for the state of anarchy, have you been following trends and social reactions in this country? Have you read news papers or even just listened to others talk? Think about the use of our natural resources and the squandering of funding. I'm not a racist not in the least but it sound to me you have some tendencies. It's both fortunate and unfortunate that SA is so diverse. Fortunate because of possibility unfortunate because of socio-cultural differences making some things almost impossible to bridge, but that's life I don't have to like you or you're culture. Forcing acceptance just is not the way to go, but it's unfortunate that most public figures seem to fully believe in that leaving gaps for individuals like you who truly believe that he speaks for the entire nation when he says 'we don't need people like you' My dear boy or is it girl? How ever much I would like to leave I'm not one for abandoning my responsibilities or family. I think in the end it's best if you stick to what you can do blowing your vuvu because you seem pretty uninformed for such an optimistic colourless inhabitant of the host country. I would like to say I wish you luck but then again I prefer not to mainly because I'm scared something might go wrong n your life and then somehow someone can tie me to corruption and white collar crimes.

To all the "Anonymous" useless individuals who don't have the courage to put their names next to their arrogant, self-righteous, ignorant opinions:

"The World Cup is losing its identity" is quite an interesting comment coming from someone who apparently doesn't HAVE an identity!

Do we realise that no major supporting event will be played in SA because of our vuvuzelas?Why is that? Is the Vuvuzela a threat to national security or something? It is interesting how British supporters are allowed to beat up opposing team supporters, South Americans can light flairs in matches- but South Africans are being "disrespectful" by blowing a Vuvu.

What is even more interesting is watching non "African" games and seeing how many tourists are blowing them. Sis on them for not knowing any better and disrespecting their own teams and fellow supporters. Sis on them.

Mary Wagner (shocking name- stick with Anonymous)- you talk of "respect" as though we South Africans must cater to you but you are unable to understand the RESPECT that this is how we support soccer. Think about it. If we sang in Zulu you'd call us racist because we aren't respecting our "honoured international guests" by singing in a language they understand. So we are blowing a Vuvu- and if you can't understand that then stay indoors and play with your dog.

I think your inability to construct a coherent sentence with correct grammar is enough of an explanation for me. You, Mary Wagner, are an epic failure. May I suggest one thing to you? Don't watch the rest of the World Cup because eeeish, these Vuvuzelas are so very Ayobaness and sho, they are going to stay.

Do you honestly think we wanted to support the Cup because we thought we were going to win it? Haha. Oh dear! We want to share our culture with the world.Our incredible stadiums that were built for YOU to enjoy- how ungrateful you are.We want you to come and see how stunningly beautiful our country is- how close minded you are.We want you to stand with us in the stadiums and share in OUR culture- how self-righteous you are to think that this is about you.

The Cup is held in different countries with different cultures. That's the whole point. Why must we conform to a blue-print of how you expect to support it? If that was the case- it would be held in the same place every time and there would be a list of rules and regulations to read and agree to.

We are unique and individual and so proud of our heritage. We are Proudly South African.

You are proudly ignorant and that's okay, but don't make it our problem.

I became so happy when they announced that the 2010 world cup is to be held in Africa.. Now.. not so much. This infantile behavior makes it harder for people to hold the world cup in Africa again. The whole world can agree that the vuvuzela is annoying; Black people like myself too. It is not that we tell you how to run your life.. I think it's a matter of being culturally sensitive to the rest of the world, but that might be too much to ask. Finally isn't embarrassing for you to talk about your obsession with blowing things?

@SimonExcellent article and very true the losers are making a noise. We are the host country why must we bow down and be dictated to.....perhaps the foreign supporters are watching the game with one eye, the would of noticed that the foreign fans are buying these "horns" we call them vuuzelas by the dozens they have come to enjoy how we do things here. AYOBA TIMES IN SOUTH AFRICA.....IT IS OUR TIME TO SHINE

@Jomulisha.....I love your comebacks, and the rest of the World must take note the foreigners have joined the excitement of vuvuzela blowing..parp parp parp parp parp parrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppppppppppp

It's a shame the South Africans blowing these things have chosen to ruin the atmosphere of the World Cup by arrogantly playing them throughout every match. I'd be DELIGHTED to hear them throughout all of South Africa's three matches (and let's face it, that's all it will be), but to have such shameless disregard for other teams' support says a lot about the people blowing them - and none of it good.

Whoever said this will be remembered as the WC without atmosphere couldn't have been more on the money. It ruins the diverse, fascinating, inventive, witty crowd noise associated with the game in every other part of the world (including, but not limited to, all 31 other nations at the tournament), and is, to most people's minds, a clear indicator of the lack of imagination/intelligence of the morons honking on these things.

Why is everybody thinking that the South Africans are blowing the vuvuzelas, are the South Africans the only supporters at the stadiums, we are easily recognised in the stadiums bu the yellow or green t-shirts that makes us stand out, unless people refuse to look beyond the South Africans and are refusing to accept that their unruly supporters are blowing them just as much. I watched a game where the commentator wanted to know where the South Africans were and it was a game between 2 foreign teams, so GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSES AND STOP POINTING FINGERS AT SOUTH AFRICANS AND START BLAMING YOUR OWN AS WELL, IT IS LIKE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK, looks like the vuvuzelas has become a craze cause that is all is being reported right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok... listen up ppl... the ticket sales from the european countries was POOR! therefore us Saffers are filling the stadiums to support your teams.. would it be better playing in an empty stadium or a full one with vuvuzelas? secondly... as its been said already.. the people that actually DID come to SA and were not too ignorant and scared to come see what SA is all about.. are joining in the fun and blowing the vuvu as hard as the staunchest Bafana fan!you all just unhappy u didn't come visi, watch games and join in the fun!

My understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that tickets are practically given away to South Africans, whereas foreigners have to pay exorbitant prices for the chance to watch their team.

The only tickets that were cheaper for SA supporters where the category 4 tickets. The behind the goal, in the clouds tickets. These tickets were exclusively for SA supporters (this is the same in every country that hosts the WC)SA supporters could also apply for the Cat 1- Cat 3 tickets, but pay the same price as everyone else. So no i wouldn't say the tickets were "practically given away". The tickets cost around R450 for a group game.. which is affordable but not cheap for South Africans, a tickets to a local league game in SA is around R50 (if not less or free).

I've paid around R10 Grand (about US $1300) for the 7 games i'm going to watch and they all in Category 4.

FIFA and MATCH really screwed up the tickets sales... a lot of applications for tickets got declined on the website... but some of the games have A LOT of empty seats..South African's were queuing outside selling venue's when more tickets were released to the public since the overseas allocated tickets were not all taken up. The FIFA site and systems then proceeded to crash... so they could not get tickets either. The ticket sales was a bit of a fiasco. (FIFA and MATCH's fault.. not an SA problem)

" What they were doing, putting it in a 3rd world, crime ridden country in the first place, is a mystery. "

Well I wonder what they were doing putting it anywhere bud...

Every country has its down fall, and i mean everywhere. If its the US its a nation obsessed with picking on poor nations who have oil.The UK where hooliganism runs rampant ( I dont have a problem with it I support Millwall FC ).Portugal where it nearly crippled there economy and where most of the stadiums have now been torn down.

So the sheer ignorance of your statement is nothing short of ludicrous. We have activated EVERY Police officer and added a huge number just to keep it all safe. In fact i feel safer in my home town than i do in certain areas of London where i have nearly been stabbed and then got into shit because i took a 16 yr old down at least here you can defend yourself.

" Who are you to tell other fans how to express their national pride? Hooliganism is a tradition too. "

Come on son! get your firm and go have a bout with the local fans! lets see how that ends.... Oh yeah... Glock 22 Bitches .. and cops who will actually stop it not pussys with helmets and battons!

( but im a fan of hooliganism to so dont worry )

"If the vuvuzela is such a pivotal part of your culture, you must have a really shitty culture."

Glad you are so tolerant of the rest of the world, Go down south in the US and grab a sheet to cover your identity. I'm sure you could burn some crosses and be pissed off with the rest of the world!

" I'm embarrassed for you, South Africa. "

Oh well its not the end of the world its a beautiful country if you don't like it tough!

_____ Right so now that i am done commenting ____

I Spent last night watching the game on TV my missions all over the country are over for a bit. However I spent the game in a pub with 15 + Mexicans and a couple of Ausies ...

Needless to say the VuvuZela's were running rampant and everyone was having a good time. When they went quiet I could hear the commentary clearly slight buzz int he background but really not disturbing. I bet the Italians will bitch about them because they played like shit until the last 15 mins. However I asked a couple of the foreigners their view on the VUVU, both male and female i might add. The resounding answer I got is that the Stadiums are just insane it is loud it its brazen and they are joining in and loving every second of our country.

Which makes me wander if most of the people commenting on here are sitting at home watching it all on TV? Shoulda come along.

Further commenting on this "What they were doing, putting it in a 3rd world, crime ridden country in the first place, is a mystery. "

And is that why the Brazilians are having a field day robbing people in Cape Town, after all they are the visitors in OUR COUNTRY note OUR COUNTRY which is South Africa. I am glad a piece of plastic has taken over the world cause that is all that is being journalised right now, what a sad shame for the Messis Ronaldos, Theirrys to be outshone by a vuvuzela

@Jomulisha I just love reading your comments, to the rest of the South Africans keep the comments flowing, our vuvuzela has created a stir worldwide, instead of covering the WC they are so engross on a piece of plastic AYOBA VUVUZELA AYOBA

The world wide condemnation of vuvuzelas is really building momentum! I must admit, I've never seen the world so solidly unified against a single cause as much as they have been against the vuvuzela! They will almost certainly be banned now (I'd guess after group stage, just to be fair to all the teams that have suffered through this ordeal). To be honest, it'd probably have been done sooner if FIFA weren't concerned the entire country would descend into riots (or worse).

It's amazing! The world honors South Africa by giving them the privileged of hosting the World Cup. Most viewers across the world wish them successes, for the sake of SA, and Africa as a whole... and how does SA respond? By flipping the world the bird and saying "It's South Africa's Cup, we'll do what we want... f#%k the rest of the world and their traditions and enjoyment"!

Absolutely brilliant! Here is what is funny... if you'd just limit it to the streets, South African matches, or at least not blow them for 90 straight minutes, no one in the world would even mind the vuvuzela! You've managed to get everything in order to pull off a successful cup (despite the critics), only to absolutely f#$k it with your horn!

Seriously, in the US and UK, 70% of viewers want FIFA to ban the horn, and are watching the WC at reduced volume. I've got friends in Germany and the Philippines saying similar opinions are commonly in their countries! I've seen posters from Chile, Argentina, Brazil, India, Turkey,, Slovakia, Hungary, and Indonesia (just to name a few), complaining about it as well! I can't even imagine how poorly this is going over in Asia where cultures highly value respect towards others and things that are perceived as yelling and forcing yourself on others is considered to be EXTREMELY rude! On sites like facebook "ban the vuvuzela" groups significantly dwarf groups in favor of the vuvuzela, (and even groups discussing the actual World Cup)!

Congratulations though, keep on doing what you're doing! Truly, I do wish SA the best of luck on this World Cup and hope you can get the wool out of your eyes before you've thoroughly upset the entire world!

Like the rest of the world gives a fuck about South Africa, actually let me clarify that AFRICA.

The rest of the world let atrocities happen here because they are to proactive in their hunt for countries with exploitable resources. We get left to sort out our own problems some of witch stem from international issues.

SO why the fuck would we actually care Im watching a game right now and i simply have to say all those people sitting bitching on facebook from their corner of the pub. You should have come along and drowned out the South Africans, but no you primarily left this to an african cup.

quite honestly i don't want to see how the public that are extremely passive at the moment will react... I am thinking there will be crowds outside the residences of the teams blowing them all night in spite.

The broadcasting companies have got sound proof area's in every stadium they are the ones pumping the noise through to you blame them!

The World Cup will be watched by over a billion people worldwide and only a tiny fraction of those will actually see the games live inside the stadium. The overwhelming majority of football fans will experience the World Cup through their television.

Watching from the television we have no impression of South African culture other than the people there like to blow loud, extremely irritating horns throughout each game. Presumably there's more to South Africa than that, but the horns drown out everything.

All we hear is the endless buzzing of horns. There's no rhythm to it and there's no tune, it's just a single note repeated constantly for 90 minutes of each match. It's totally draining this World Cup of any atmosphere.

Usually the World Cup is a melting pot of international culture as fans from all over the world descend onto a single location. This is the first World Cup I can recall to destroy that aspect of the tournament.

This is only the second international football tournament I can recall where my enjoyment of the games has been negatively affected by what's happening in the stands (with the first being the Confederations Cup held in South Africa last year). Usually the crowd enhances a match, particularly at the World Cup, but here it detracts from it in a massive way.

South Africa has spent billions in their efforts to stage a succesful World Cup. They've built incredible stadiums, improved their infrastructure and welcomed the world in a (disregarding people like Simon here) very hospitable manner. Unfortunately all of the good work is being undone by a piece of cheap plastic.

not sure if its been said anywhere else on any of the replies as I cant be bothered to trawl through the vicious attacks! I just wish that the TV feeds could just turn the volume down a bit on the effects mic's so that you could actually hear the commentators! (Ideally Id like a separate "commentators only" feed somehow!)

What's happened to beautiful African voices united in song? Drowned out by the vuvuzela. I heartily concur with Rich who wrote, "I find it kinda embarrassing that the best we have to offer the world is a single note noise maker. I'm all for getting singing back."

Most naturally it would be an irritant if your TV is on full blast, I have been to live matches where the vuvuzela has been blown throughout the game.

The opening match on Friday I was at the Fan Fest and believe you me not only were the South African supporters sporting a vuvu but the foreigners as well. And in case you did not listen to any news last night Sepp Blatter said he is not banning anything as the vuvuzela has brought flavour to the SWC like never before, so those foreigners sitting at home and whinging are the ones whose players will be returning soon, the vuvuzela is here to stay.

And again I say it is amazing a piece of plastic has taken the world by storm, cause that is the only thing receiving more coverage than the international soccer stars, a sad shame for the Messis, Ronaldos, Kakas, Cacaus what a sad shame to be outshone by a piece of plastic.

I live in a suburb and they are also being blown constantly throughout the game. When you have a guest in your home, do you submit to their demands or do they have to submit to yours, after all they are the guests

Very true the sound system could drown them out, but guess is this that they want the vuvus to be heard, last nights game between Brazil and Korea DPR, there were times that I did not hear the vuvus as they were like a background din, and all of a sudden they would get louder and louder, so do you blame the blowers or blame the ones controlling the sound.

And you right, that is all people are doing on their Facebook status updates, is moaning about the vuvu, it has even taken over twitter as the most tweeted subject roflmao!!!!!!!! way to go vuvu, way to go.

Oh the entire world has been upset with us a long time before the SWC, there were coverages working the players to come with bullet proof vests, there were coverages of the players coming with their own security, there were coverages of the players and supporters being told not to leave their hotel rooms, there were coverages of South Africa being the country that has the most crime, there was coverages of horrendous murders and rapes that were taking place in our country, there were coverages of our Defence Force going on strike, there were coverages of workers striking, there were coverages that we will never be ready to host one of the biggest events in the world, there were coverages that FIFA has plan "B" and that if we fail the SWC was going to be handed over to Australia, there were worldwide coverages of Eugene's death, there were constant coverages of our country, there were coverages of players and supporters being robbed by baboons and being eaten alive by snakes, and I can continue with the coverages, we received bad publicity since the announcement that we were going to be the host of the SWC.

Now that it is in our country, there are still coverages, teams and supporters are freely walking around not being harassed by a country that has the most rapes per day, tourists have said they have been to numerous SWC and by far this is the best and I can vouch for that, tourists have been taught how to do the "diski dance" that has not been covered by journalists, the Reuters and Associated Press team forgot on Friday that they were covering such an event at the Fan Fest they started joining us in the celebration that was not covered, Australians forgot who they were actually supporting and were upset they did not have vuvuzelas or wearing Bafana jerseys, that was not covered.

The only coverage we receiving right now is about a piece of plastic, that has taken the international supporters by storm, so again as South Africans I say STOP PUTTING THE BLAME ON US, take off your blinkers watch the stadiums when the international players are playing and read the name of the country on the vuvuzelas, we are now getting sick and tired of being put down, this is our country and at the moment we are the host country.

Since the outbreak of the vuvuzela it seems as though the South Africans do not want to submit, yet the foreigners are requesting outside the stadiums to be taught how to blow them and once they know how they are part of the crowd blowing them, so please when you sitting on Facebook and bitching about the vuvuzela which ever country you come from, take off those rose coloured glasses and see which supporter from which country is blowing.

With South Africans it is easy to point us out in the crowd as since about 2 months ago, we have been supporting the Bafana colours, so when looking in the crowd in the stadium it will be very easy to recognise a South African in either a green or yellow jersey, wearing large glasses with silly headgears on sporting the South African flag.

It is getting tiring, that is why the South Africans are becoming defensive, because everybody refuses to look past their own unruly supporters

Interesting they can be bought on amazon as well..the UK has sold 1.5 million vuvzelas in 2 weeks, so that means this piece of South African plastic is not unpopular at it, it has taken the world by storm, love it or hate it.

A comment I read on a site "These horns will be the thing that sets this World Cup apart from all others. I think that these things should be allowed into golf tourniments and tennis matches. I'd love to see the face of our elitist golfers when they tee off and a chorus of vuvuzalas rings out!!!! I just wish these had the world cup logo or were offered in SA national colors. If nothing else, I can drive the neighbors nuts."

Wow your pathetic.. YOUR wold cup?Your whole article is about how you enjoy giving the fuck you to your visitors... you dont how idea 1 about how to be a good host. The vuvuzela is a piece of plastic crap and some money man is having a great time cuz of suckers like you, meanwhile the fans of the other 31 nations at world cup have their once in 4 years or when ever your nation qualified( can be looong time) experience totally destroyed by disresprectful idiots who just want to make a chicldish political statement " we are here , fuck you" Your use of the vuvuzela and your narrowminded nationalist defense of them will be a Black Mark on SA for years to come..(

I'm getting the impression there are a lot of ego centered pricks in South Africa. Luckily I'm not a moron, so I will not judge an entire nation based on the behaviour of a few rectums with internet access.

Unfortunately I've given up on the World Cup this time (feel free to write "bohoo" and "whining European"). I'm now looking forward to Brazil 2014, where people are a bit more tolerant to the outside world and know the meaning of the word "solidarity".

all those sanctimonious foreigners with their "ban this, ban that" attitude. Go home to your granny state! But before you go, look who is blowing the vuvus - its the visitors too you assholes! And no, they're not being coerced into blowing it either.

Simon, your blog of May 24th covered an interesting topic did it not? Something to do with noise maybe, and the need for some compromise and consideration in that area?

You made some good points in that blog and put them across in a well articulated, humorous manner.

Your next blog should be confessional piece on your first-hand experience with that ever so prevalent syndrome we South Africans suffer from...you know it....NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard)

The cathedral bells situation sure does suck, but so too does the Vuvuzela situation for the majority of our guests and a considerable portion of our locals as well...of all races.

It is certainly not racist to object to the discomfort experienced when some people incessantly blow into their Funnel of Acrimonious Resonating Tyranny People Insist on Perpetually Employing (aka FARTPIPE) when it causes so much obvious offence and discomfort.

Most of the visitors are not telling us to do anything, they are simply asking, and I think we owe them some consideration. We need to be noble, reasonable hosts and reach a compromise, not just bombastically dismiss their very valid concerns.

No joke about the Cathedral bells. You do realize all of your reasons for your old post on the Cathedral bells can be used against the vuvuzela?

Oh, wait that's right. Being against Christians is okay. Being against South Africa is not okay and you can automatically pull out the racist card. They are "intolerant" to something they don't understand while you are worldly and accepting of other people's cultures, that is, if it's not a major culture. Which you reject. Because it's the culture of the close minded.

I am a BIG supporter of soccer!!! I am also enjoying this fantastic vibe in our country concerning the World Cup. I do however understand the irritation of so many regarding the vuvuzela. I'm not saying they should ban it, because it's a part of our soccer culture, however - some consideration for others would be much appreciated. When did we decide to stop acting like adults? Is it necessary to stand outside a supermarket, next to a sleeping 2 year old and blowing a vuvuzela in his ear after his mother has asked politely if you could keep it down?

And just one last thing: I agree that just because we are hosting the World Cup, doesn't mean that we have the right to treat our guests like crap. The WC might be held on our soil, but it's the WORLD Cup, not the AFRICA Cup. They have as much right as we do.

Enjoy the game, enjoy the amazing experience that is World Cup Soccer, and show some consideration to others around you.

As I thought...vuvuzela blowers are from the same gene pool as creationists who, when faced with reason and logic, simply rant and chatter nonsensically in an attempt to drown out anyone who disagrees.